Tonio Burton is having an incredible year in bodybuilding. After winning the IFBB New York Pro on May 9, he took home another first place award, this time at the Legion Sports Fest Pro in Reno, Nevada. The big man says he finally found his “type”. Here’s why.
Reno’s own Tonio Burton has moved up eight places in the Open Division at the Olympia finals after qualifying from Group 212 in 2022, and if his current run is anything to go by, Tonio could be even higher at the prestigious bodybuilding show in September. Burton chose to stay busy and pursue his Olympics first place performance at the New York Pro with close elimination second place at the IFBB Pittsburgh Proand returned after leading a pack including Eric Wood, Patrick Moore and Dorian Haywood at the Legion Sports Fest Pro last weekend. After this victory, Burton explained that his current body is “one”.
A key adjustment that improved Burton’s scene presentation
“At this level, it’s not about drastic changes, it’s about fine-tuning the details,” said recovery specialist Burton. Marissa Moroz in a recent Instagram postwho explained that Burton was dealing with an “imbalance through his lats, especially on the right side” that had previously limited his ability to paint.
Moroz notes that working on Burton’s movement allowed him to correct this imbalance, thereby presenting the complete package on stage. The big man also took time to thank his coach Justin Jacoby after the jackpot in Reno. “… the goal was to get better and better every time, and we’re doing that,” he said. Burton will undoubtedly be a major threat to the other finalists as they travel to Sin City in September.
Tonio Burton’s Olympic placement and career progression
Tonio Burton’s Olympic Places
- 2021 – 212 Section – 10
- 2022 – Open department – 16
- 2023 – Open department – 8
- 2025 – Open department – 8
2026 Legion Sports Fest Pro Results
- Men’s game: Tonio Burton
- Classic Male Physique: Murat Kan Karakhasanlar
- Male Physique: Junpei Taguchi
- Bikini: Reina Perez Mecalco
- Fitness: Allison Kramer
- Health: Narla Vilar
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